The inclusion of the American Dream in American novels is common. Novels such as Of Mice and Men and Death of a Salesman are examples, and films like Rudy revolve around the belief that one can achieve success and prosperity. Newcomers to the United States were promised economic success for their families. As in Death of a Salesman, there are dreams of freedom, wealth and prosperity. For the characters in the film, the American Dream failed them. While some learned from their mistakes, others continued to console themselves with the American Dream against the harsh realities.
Near the beginning of Death of a Salesman, a discussion takes place between Biff and Hap. Biff feels depressed because throughout all his life, the American Dream let him down. Biff's father, Willie, wants otherwise from Biff's true desires. Because of this, Biff is caught between his desires and what others want of him, and thus is a failure. Hap tries to reassure Biff that Willie wants the best for him. Following this, Biff dreams of buying a ranch, where he and Hap could live together in happiness, but his utopia is not long lived.
As for Biff, the American Dream has failed him and he can not decide what to do with his life. Each time the spring comes, he makes the same mistake: returning to his parents house. When Biff was in high school, he envisioned a scholarship to the University of Virginia by playing football. However, like his neighbour said, Biff did not have the grades to go to University. Willie taught his sons the wrong things; rather than intelligence, he taught them to look good and be popular.
Throughout the film, Willie has to live with the fact that he is the reason of Biff's failure. To mask this truth, he conjures up images from his golden age. In this golden age, Biff was a star football player, his sons were handsome and popular, and he had a positive attitude. In the present, he is not as well off.